Chapter 341

Just like that, Chu Zhaoyang became a hot topic .

Silver City citizens were broadminded and experienced, so he was merely a topic for them to discuss leisurely over dinner and tea . The majority of the residents agreed that swordsmanship counted for almost nothing when it came to the training system of the Avalon of Five Elements . Sword formations were merely paltry toys made by old fogies who were unwilling to give up on the glory of the ancient swordsmen .

What praise was there for a fellow who rose to fame as a wanted criminal who had made an unexpected mistake?

The Ling residence, Golden Eagle Study Room .

Ling Sheng looked so gloomy that water could be squeezed out of his face . He had just been talking about how there was nothing in Karakorum for them to fear, but in the blink of an eye, reality hit him square in the face . He felt as if someone had just given him a tight slap, and his face still heatedly stung from it .

He clenched his teeth and said, “Those morons actually got intimidated by Chu Zhaoyang!”

Madam Ling was not angry . Instead, it appeared that she had noticed something interesting as her eyes flickered . She picked up the report, which she had already looked over many times, and read it word by word . “Could it be that Chu Zhaoyang knows what Xiao Shuren’s ancient treasure is?

Ling Sheng paused slightly before raising his head abruptly . He asked gloomily, “What do you mean?”

“He previously created a bunch of problems when he rode The Great Wei Enterprise’s Fiery Floating Cloud . ” Madam Ling waved the piece of paper in her hands, adding, “And now he’s at Karakorum . Xiao Shuren’s there too . Don’t you think it’s too much of a coincidence?”

While Ling Sheng felt moody, he was no fool . On the contrary, in terms of temperament and wisdom, he surpassed most people, especially since he wielded power over the residence .

The fury in his eyes vanished into thin air as he lowered his voice and muttered, “Coincidental indeed . If he knows about the ancient treasure that Xiao Shuren possesses, he is definitely an object that we can exploit . “

They had been curious all along . What exactly was this treasure that Dai Gang was so interested in?

If it could offer Grandmasters the chance to become great grandmasters, could it also elevate a Master into a Grandmaster?

There were no Grandmasters in the Ling residence, but there were quite a few Masters . There was only a single word that differed between the two, but in actual fact, they were worlds apart .

The highest a Master could achieve was to become a division leader or the Great Elder of Elders Guild .

A Grandmaster, on the other hand, could rule the a region .

Without a doubt, the Jadeite Forest belonged to Dai Gang . The Avalon of Five Elements belonged to Grandmaster An Muda if An Muda said so .

This was a Grandmaster .

As long as they lived, no one, except another Grandmaster, could defy their will .

If there was a Grandmaster in Ling residence…

Just the thought of this possibility made Ling Sheng ready to pay any price to realize it .

Madam Ling asked, “What’s Chu Zhaoyang’s history?”

Ling Sheng regained his senses and shook his head . “No results yet . He had too minor of a reputation and had been without a fixed residence . He behaved mysteriously, so I reckon it would be difficult to find any useful information . It’s even difficult to judge if this identity of his is real or false . Where do you plan to start?”

“Whatever we can think of, the other families will as well . So you’re right, Chu Zhaoyang is now a target for exploitation . ” Madam Ling continued, “We can assume that many invitations have been sent to him . No matter what he chooses, the ancient treasure in Xiao Shuren’s hands is the crucial issue in the end . We still have to think of a way to capture him . There’s only one treasure chest, but there might be more than one key . “

Ling Sheng wrinkled his brows . “There must be many eyes watching Karakorum right now . “

“Don’t be impatient . ” Madam Ling smiled meaningfully and said, “I have a feeling that Chu Zhaoyang still has a surprise for us . “

… . .

The Karakorum Sword League .

Chu Zhaoyang was enjoying the supreme treatment . The Silverheel Swordsman had long since become a teacher of the main institution and was given a courtyard of his own . Many teachers visited in an endless stream, hoping to receive guidance and tips, to the point where a queue had formed .

For consecutively destroying five sword formations, Chu Zhaoyang’s popularity within Karakorum skyrocketed .

When a veiled lady appeared by the doorway, the crowd moved aside and bowed .

“Chief!”

“You’re finally back, Chief . “

. . .

The veiled lady slightly nodded her head toward them .

Ai Hui was quite curious . The Karakorum Sword League’s chief was called the “Karakorum Savant” . No one knew her name, but judging from her outfit, she appeared angelic and magical .

The ordinary veil on the Karakorum Savant’s face was obviously thin, but it completely concealed her face . She wore a navy and white robe that was loose, yet accentuated her graceful figure .

“Nice to meet you, Mister Chu . I’ve heard of your magnificent feat on my way back . I can only regret that I wasn’t able to witness such a spectacular event . “

The Karakorum Savant’s voice was clear, carrying a certain sternness and loftiness .

Ai Hui stood up to bow . “Nice to meet you . You flatter me . I’m still far behind you in terms of attainments . I heard that you want to create the first absolute art for swordsmanship . I have always been interested in swordsmanship ever since I was young, so this grand undertaking is something I simply can not miss . Please forgive me for turning up without an invitation . “

“You’re too modest sir . ” The Karakorum Savant spoke in a clear voice, “Even I am unable to do what you’ve done . “

She took out a wooden case and handed it over to Ai Hui . “Inside is my first draft . There are many areas to consider, so please be generous with your advice and comments . “

Ai Hui was moved . She had handed over the compilation to him so openly, without the slightest intention to conceal anything . Such breadth of mind and boldness were not qualities most people could possess .

The Karakorum chief had not reached her current level without reason .

Ai Hui respectfully received the case and gravely said, “Many thanks . I will give it my best . “

The Karakorum Savant bowed slightly and said in her clear voice, “Then I will not disturb your rest any longer . “

The Karakorum Savant left, and upon seeing this, the teachers also started bidding their goodbyes .

In a flash, Ai Hui’s courtyard was back to its peaceful and quiet state .

A voice chimed behind him before Ai Hui could even open the case . “Your performance really shocked me . “

Ai Hui’s body stiffened, and the hair on his body stood on end, but he quickly relaxed . “You scared me . “

Turning around, he saw Hua Kui laughing at him .

Ai Hui trembled inwardly . He had not been able to judge Hua Kui’s abilities . Now, it seemed that Hua Kui was stronger than Ai Hui had guessed .

Was this a warning?

He asked with his usual expression, “How is that? My mission is already completed, so how about joining the headquarters?”

“Congratulations, it has been approved . ” Hua Kui grinned . “Your performance was more or less flawless . This is yours . “

Ai Hui caught the wooden case Hua Kui threw to him and opened it . Inside was a small glass bottle half-filled with soil . A blade of grass grew within . A very ordinary blade of glass .

“What is this?”

“Patriarch grass . ” Hua Kui seemed to have predicted Ai Hui’s reaction . Laughing, he said, “It is our token and also a way to stay in touch . “

Patriarch grass? Token? Ai Hui was bewildered . He tossed and turned the bottle, but no matter how he looked at it, it was just an ordinary blade of green grass .

Hua Kui was amused by Ai Hui’s movements and burst into laughter once again . “Hahaha, of course it’s not going to work this way . You’ll need to use the Assembly of Patriarchs’ unique fusion elemental energy . “

“Fusion elemental energy?” Ai Hui felt dizzy from hearing all the foreign terms that Hua Kui threw at him .

“It is different from any existing type of elemental energy . It’s a unique creation from our Assembly . ” Hua Kui explained proudly, “Only those who join us will be able to learn it . The method of training fusion elemental energy is inside . You can use the patriarch grass once you’ve learned this, and we will be able to contact each other through it . You can also use it to read books and records that have been accumulated by the organization over hundreds of years . Then, you’ll know how mighty the organization is . Before us, the so called aristocratic families aren’t even worth mentioning . “

Finishing his sentence, Hua Kui threw Ai Hui an oddly shaped sword . “You did really well this time . This Silverfold Plum is your reward . “

Ai Hui grabbed it . The moment it reached his hand, he felt a vigorous jolt . A good sword!

The Silverfold Plum was silvery white all over and shaped like a chopped section of a plum tree branch . Its body was crooked and strong, while its surface was bumpy like old tree bark . The sword tip was actually made of three vivid, lifelike silver plum flowers . Their stamens trembled, and on the whole, the sword looked splendid and magnificent .

Seeing Ai Hui fondling it with admiration, Hua Kui was pleased as well . “This Silverfold Plum was forged by a master within the organization . It was made directly from artifact remnants fished out from deep within the Silver Mist Sea . Upon completion, it was immediately kept in a Heaven-grade weapons storehouse and has never appeared outside, so you don’t have to worry about its origin . “

“This is a Heaven-grade weapon?” Ai Hui was beyond surprised .

“That’s right . ” Hua Kui nodded . “You will have a lot of time to experience its marvels . The organization will treat you well as long as you’re diligent . Your next mission is to stay in Karakorum, gain the chief’s trust, and keep her safe . “

Hua Kui said with a stern face, “I heard that Dai Gang is interested in something that Xiao Shuren has, so evil characters from all over have started to come out one by one . You have to be vigilant as Karakorum is likely to be attacked within these two days, but don’t worry, because organization is prepared . Tsk, else these aristocratic families will think they can hide the truth from the masses . “

“Xiao Shuren? The Great Wei Enterprise? Ancient treasure?” Ai Hui’s expression turned strange .

He thought back to the unpleasant experience when he was a wanted criminal .

Hua Kui could not help but laugh . “You should know that in the eyes of these aristocrats, you’re an object for exploitation . “

Ai Hui was befuddled . “Why?”

Hua Kui was overjoyed . “You tangled with the Great Wei Enterprise and now you’re here in Karakorum where Xiao Shuren is . Is this a coincidence or not? It would be weird if you did not know any inside information about the ancient treasure, hahaha!”

Hua Kui was totally gloating over Ai Hui’s misfortune .

Chu Zhaoyang fell into that sticky situation with the Great Wei Enterprise precisely because he was on his way to meet Hua Kui . Currently, he entered Karakorum under the direct orders of Hua Kui’s mission . What inside information?

Seeing Chu Zhaoyang’s dumbstruck face, Hua Kui rejoiced even more .